Stay Work Play NH's Rising Stars Named

The sixth-annual Rising Stars Awards, an initiative of Stay Work Play in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, welcomed more than 550 guests to the Space Entertainment Center in Hooksett for an awards ceremony on Oct. 5.

The event celebrated New Hampshire’s outstanding young people and organizations, according to a press statement.

The 2015 Rising Stars Awards winners are:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Alex Freid of Lee and Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN)

College Student of the Year

• Alicia Frazier of Candia and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Best Student Video

• Alicia Frazier of Candia and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Young Professional of the Year

• Chris Wellington of Manchester and Grafton County Economic Development Council

Civic Leader of the Year

• Bryan Bouchard of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

People’s Choice for Coolest Companies for Young Professionals

• Cranmore Mountain Resort of North Conway

Coolest Companies for Young Professionals

• Red River Computers of Claremont
• Single Digits of Bedford

Leadership Development Program of the Year

• Hoffmann-Haas Fellowship, an initiative of the NH Center for Nonprofits

“The support for this year’s Rising Stars Awards event was incredible. It was inspiring to hear from the Honorable Tina Nadeau, Chief Superior Court Justice, on her work in the state and how others can make a difference in their own way,” said Kate Luczko, President and CEO of Stay Work Play. “This event is about recognizing and connecting young people in the state; the Rising Stars Awards accomplishes this by bringing people and organizations together with a mission of keeping and bringing young talent in/to New Hampshire and honoring them for the work they do.”

“The winners of this year’s Rising Stars Awards are a group of hardworking and innovative leaders who are setting an example for the culture of young people in our state. They are dedicated to giving back to their communities, to reimagining what we think of as workplaces and jobs, following a dream to start something new, embracing and developing our youth, and being trailblazers to make NH a better place.”

Referred to as “the networking event of the year,” the Rising Stars Awards works to celebrate and recognize New Hampshire’s remarkable young professionals and entrepreneurs, college students, the initiatives to keep them here, and the businesses and programs that go the extra mile to recruit and retain them.

The event was hosted by Taylor Quimby producer of NHPR’s “Word of Mouth” and welcomed keynote speaker the Honorable Tina Nadeau, Chief Superior Court Justice, Governor Maggie Hassan, Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, representatives from the 13 Young Professional Networks from across the state, music by Groove Lounge, and many others.

For more information about The Rising Stars Awards visit stayworkplay.org/risingstarsawards

Caption: (l to r): Steve Reno, Board of Trustees, NH Public Radio; Chris Wellington, Grafton County Economic Development Council, and Young Professional of the Year; Kate Luczko, President and CEO, Stay Work Play NH. Photo credit: Allegra Boverman Photography